Philippine Dragon Boat Team members are welcomed by supporters as they arrive in Manila from Florida where they won five gold and two silver medals at the Dragon Boat Federation world championships. JESS YUSON/INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino received the members of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation team in Malacañang Friday despite the snub the group suffered from the country’s top sports agencies.
Mr. Aquino gave the team that won five gold medals in a recent international competition in the United States a presidential citation and expressed support for its members.
“Thank you for bringing honor to the country. Thank you for being an inspiration. Thank you for being role models. Thank you for proving that if you work at it, you will really succeed,” the President told the rowers.
“It’s just sad that you are being subjected to politics. I hope that they would just leave the politics to us politicians,” he added.
“To those of you who really provide significant and positive role models to our country, I can assure you that the government will be behind you,” Mr. Aquino said.